21.10.2025 15:42
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated that the 36-article bill regarding the increase of traffic fines, which is on the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), will come into effect on January 1, 2026. Detailing the new fines item by item, Yerlikaya also announced that those who praise rule violations on social media will face a fine of 25,000 TL.
The Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, met with representatives of media organizations at the ministry to explain the draft law on amendments to the Highway Traffic Law, which includes regulations aimed at increasing traffic fines that are on the agenda of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
THE DRAFT LAW HAS 36 ARTICLES Minister Yerlikaya stated that their aim with the 36-article draft law is to prevent accidents, minimize loss of life, positively change drivers' behavior, and gradually build a traffic culture. Yerlikaya emphasized that deterrence is the cornerstone of traffic culture, saying, "Deterrence is the most fundamental building block that enables the development and rooting of traffic culture. It is vital to take deterrent measures to ensure that drivers comply with the rules and to reduce rule violations in the field of traffic safety. Deterrence in traffic should be seen not only as a penal system but as a multi-layered mechanism that builds a culture of safe living in society," he said.
Yerlikaya noted that traffic fines are not just a form of punishment, stating, "There is a direct and strong relationship between traffic fines and deterrence. An effective and fair penal system increases individuals' respect for the rules, positively changes driving habits, develops social awareness, and most importantly, reduces loss of life. Therefore, fines are not just a punishment but also a strategic tool that facilitates the transformation of traffic culture," he expressed.
"THERE IS NO SOCIAL RESISTANCE" Minister Yerlikaya said that they prepared the proposal without prejudice by putting all mechanisms related to deterrence and control on the table in a place where 17.4 people die in traffic accidents every day, totaling 6,351 people annually. In response to a question about whether there is social resistance to the proposal, Minister Yerlikaya stated, "I do not agree that there is social resistance. We are conducting surveys, measuring the pulse of society. The approval rate regarding traffic rules, traffic safety, and the right to life is well above 85%. There is no resistance. Society wants the best for the road, wants the rules to be internalized and followed correctly, and wants them to be monitored," he said.
"DRIVER COURSES NEED TO BE REVISED" Minister Yerlikaya pointed out that there are driving courses under the management and presidency of the Ministry of National Education, stating, "In my opinion, that area also needs to be completely revised. When a blessing is given easily, it definitely has complications. Look at how driving licenses are obtained in country 'A' and country 'B'; how they are acquired. This is a social issue. You obtained your license at 18 years old, and there was no process; you comply with the rules. But this is not enough for your traffic safety. Your safety is ensured only if others also comply with the rules. Society says, 'In 2024, murders decreased by 11.8% compared to 2023, below 2,000. Currently, there are 3.5 times more deaths in traffic,'" he said.
"THE ENEMY OF DETERRENCE IS AMNESTY" In response to a question about whether there will be an amnesty for the penalties that will be applied once the law comes into effect, Yerlikaya stated, "The enemy of deterrence is amnesty. They are opposite poles. When there is amnesty, we must abandon all rules when there is no deterrence," he said.
Minister Yerlikaya indicated that the proposal is from the AK Party group, stating, "This is not my proposal; it is the 36-article draft law of our AK Party group. This law will come into effect on January 1, 2026. Our group chairman said, 'Within a time frame of 4-5-6 weeks, we will discuss this with society much more, internalizing it, and we will pass it from our Parliament.' The work will be carried out in this way," he expressed.
"WE HAVE NO CONCERN ABOUT REVENUE" Regarding criticisms about high fines, Minister Yerlikaya stated, "We have no concern about generating revenue. We do not need the money that will come from this. While the media says, 'The fines are coming from here to there,' the same media asks, 'Can such an accident happen in this age?' How will we do it? We have reached a point where we can increase inspections by 50%. People want rules; they say, 'I comply, so should they,'" he said.
2 NEW APPLICATIONS COMING Minister Yerlikaya also mentioned that they have developed 2 new applications, which they will share with the public soon, stating, "We will create an application related to radar. When a driver sets out, they will see how many radar applications are on the route they enter into the system; however, they will not know their locations. The other is the 'Necessary Action Taken' application. We have obtained its patent. There will be two sections on the screen related to traffic and public order. Citizens will take pictures of negative situations they observe in traffic or around them related to public order and send them to us, and we will take the necessary action," he said.
25,000 TL FINE FOR PRAISING RULE VIOLATIONS Some of the regulations in the draft law that Minister Yerlikaya detailed are as follows:
A fine of 180,000 TL for getting out of the vehicle with the intent to attack, and a 60-day suspension of the driver's license and traffic ban will be applied. A fine of 90,000 TL for blocking the road with a wedding convoy, and a 60-day suspension of the driver's license and traffic ban will be applied; if this violation occurs on a bridge, tunnel, viaduct, or highway, the fines will double. A fine of 90,000 TL for weaving in traffic, and a 60-day suspension of the driver's license and traffic ban will be applied. A fine of 140,000 TL for drifting and a 60-day suspension of the driver's license and traffic ban will be applied. A fine of 200,000 TL for not complying with the 'Stop' signal and a 60-day suspension of the driver's license and traffic ban will be applied. A fine of 3,000 TL for playing loud music in the vehicle, and a fine of 21,000 TL for installing a sound system that violates regulations will be applied, and these vehicles will be banned from traffic for 30 days, with devices removed and returned. A fine of 5,000 TL for using a mobile phone, 10,000 TL for the second violation in the same year, and 20,000 TL for the third violation, with a 30-day suspension of the driver's license. A fine of 25,000 TL for driving under the influence, and a 6-month suspension of the driver's license; for the second violation within 5 years, a fine of 50,000 TL and a 2-year suspension of the driver's license; for the third violation, a fine of 150,000 TL and a 5-year suspension of the driver's license will be applied. A fine of 2,500 TL for not wearing a seatbelt. A fine of 46,000 TL for not yielding to ambulances and fire trucks, and a 30-day suspension of the driver's license and traffic ban; a fine of 15,000 TL for not yielding to other vehicles with right of way. A fine of 5,000 TL for running a red light on the first offense, 10,000 TL on the second, and 15,000 TL on the third. Additionally, a fine of 25,000 TL will be imposed on those who praise rule violations on social media.
Elbette, metni İngilizceye çevirebilirim. Ancak verdiğiniz metin sadece bir cümle içeriyor ve HTML etiketleri yok. Eğer bir HTML yapısı sağlarsanız, o yapıyı bozmadan çeviri yapabilirim. Lütfen örnek bir HTML yapısı ile birlikte metni paylaşın.